Lawyers for Democracy (LfD) has urged President Maithripala Sirisena to reconsider his decision to implement the capital punishment since there is no empirical evidence that the death penalty is an effective deterrent
Issuing a communique Lawyers for Democracy (LfD) noted that lifting a 43-year moratorium on the death penalty, the President will do great damage to Sri Lanka’s human rights leadership in the region, its compliance with its international obligations and reputation.
Referring to studies conducted it states that crime rates across States within the USA do not appear to be drastically different, or affected, based on the classification of such States as those that have implemented capital punishment to that of those not.
The communiqué signed by its Conveners, attorneys at Law Lal Wijenayaka, K.S. Ratnavale, J.C. Weliamuna Sudath Neththasinghe, Lakshan Dias, Prabodha Rathanyaka and Harishke Samaranayaka further states that a more constructive and effective exercise, would be for introspection of Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system. Beholden to power, mired in red tape and lopsided in its ability to dispense justice for the poor, it is critical that reform be prioritized.
“Strict law enforcement, rehabilitation and dismantling systems that enable drug smuggling will address the root causes of why its use and trade is so rampant. Long term solutions are the need of the hour,”